The Importance of Right Sizing in Kubernetes-as-a-Service Platforms

Matías Salinas
3 min readMar 16, 2023

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Kubernetes-as-a-Service platforms offer an efficient way to deploy and manage containerized applications. However, it is essential to configure resources correctly to avoid performance issues and wastage of resources. I will told you the importance of right sizing in Kubernetes-as-a-Service platforms, how bad resource configuration can increase cluster consumption, lead to idle infrastructure, and cost you more money than necessary. We will provide examples and suggest tools to solve these issues. Additionally, we will mention services like spot.io that provide recommendations for right sizing, as well as other tools.

The money you spend on kubernetes without right sizing

What is Right Sizing?

Right sizing involves configuring resources such as CPU and memory in a way that fulfills the application requirements without wasting resources. In Kubernetes, this means allocating resources based on the needs of each pod. Right sizing ensures efficient allocation of resources, improving performance and reducing costs.

The Impact of Bad Resource Configuration on Cluster Consumption

Bad resource configuration can cause excessive cluster consumption, leading to idle infrastructure, which means you are paying for more than you need. Over-allocating CPU and memory to a pod can lead to elevated cluster consumption, adversely affecting other applications running in the same cluster. Conversely, under-allocating resources can lead to slow-running pods, which can lead to degraded performance.

The Relationship between Resource Request and Node Scaling

Kubernetes clusters scale based on the resource requests of the nodes. If a pod has a higher resource request, the cluster will scale to accommodate that request. However, if the request is too high, the cluster will consume more resources than necessary, leading to idle infrastructure.

Tools to Solve Resource Configuration Issues

Several tools can help you ensure that your resources are correctly sized in Kubernetes-as-a-Service platforms. One such tool is the Kubernetes Resource Quotas, which limit the amount of resources that a pod can use in a namespace. This tool ensures that pods do not consume more resources than necessary. Another tool is Kubernetes Horizontal Pod Autoscaler, which automatically adjusts the number of pods based on resource usage, ensuring that you have the right number of pods to meet your application’s needs. Additionally, services like spot.io and CloudHealth Technologies provide recommendations for right-sizing resources in Kubernetes, reducing the risk of bad resource configuration.

Conclusion

Right sizing is critical when deploying and managing containerized applications in Kubernetes-as-a-Service platforms. Bad resource configuration can lead to increased cluster consumption, idle infrastructure, and cost you more money than necessary. However, with the right tools and processes, you can ensure that your resources are correctly sized, reducing costs and improving performance. Tools like Kubernetes Resource Quotas and Horizontal Pod Autoscaler can help you achieve efficient resource allocation in Kubernetes-as-a-Service platforms. Additionally, services like spot.io and CloudHealth Technologies can provide recommendations for right-sizing resources in Kubernetes, reducing the risk of bad resource configuration.

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Matías Salinas
Matías Salinas

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